C R E D I B I L I T Y ?

• c r e d i b i l i t y  : :   
the quality of being believed or trusted

so, let me ask you.....if you had to choose someone, in your family, that fits the description of credibility, who would that be? And would you be able to identify more than one? Better question yet might be, 
'Who would you choose?'

The Quality of Being Believed or Trusted
we have all witnessed, of late, the rampant dissolution of credibility as it regards the reality, the seriousness, the veracity of truths regarding possibly the greatest global calamity of modern times.
Donald Trump has sunk to new lows, has re-defined dishonesty, has behaved as a spoiled child when what he should have been doing, is steering the ship. . . . yes, steering the good ship America, doing his super-human best to avoid icebergs and obstacles - working 24/7 with only one objective in sight - protecting the health and well-being of his flock. His flock. All Americans - not just the rich, not just his family - not just the privileged. . . . all Americans. Sadly that responsibility never ever seemed to register with him. He does not now, nor did he ever at any time, view that as his charge. Perhaps the greatest single flaw in his ability to act as a responsible and caring chief executive, or captain of the ship, is that simply, he's never done that before. Predominantly all politicians in office have worked there way up from city council to state or provincial politics - have inter-acted with their constituents, smoothly or otherwise - have had occasions to work to protect and keep harmless, those in his charge.  A regular Joe politician understands that it is his community, his constituency that helps to steer that ship. And in their efforts and work on behalf of those citizens they have earned credibility, have earned trust - and as a result understand the  v a l u e  of trust.  Trump doesn't, Trump never has, and in spite of his current wheedling and back-pedalling - Trump never will. The only good thing to come out of this tragedy is that is pretty much assured that Donald Trump will not win re-election. Because after all - who trusts him?

Nightswim 40" x  40" 

Powerful, yet gentle. Brazen, bold, beautiful. 
Perhaps the greatest single 'good advice' one can pass on to another, as it pertains to creative output, is

Knowing what to leave out as opposed to what to leave in

Elizabeth Lennie.                It's her name.
The artist who created this beautiful painting, so mystical, so alluring, so beckoning.
And the others that follow here.  

Elizabeth Lennie
Biography
Elizabeth Lennie lives in mid-town Toronto Canada. Her paintings are collected internationally, and are included in the collections of the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame, the University of Virginia Children's Hospital, Naples Grande Hotel Florida, Centre Hospital San Fransisco

Please be sure to visit her web-site where you will discover a great many more wonderful works.

These days are dark, they are relentless, it seems. Personally, I am on Day 20 of self-confinement.
Moreover, due to a fairly serious leg injury at the beginning of February I was confined to home for the three weeks prior. Thus, cabin fever has definitely set in. Six weeks. And counting, 'cause it gonna be another two weeks at least. The reason for my telling you all this is, my friend, Monica Parker (a very seriously funny lady • and a client for who I am engrossed in the re-design of her web-site, 
(www.IamMonicaParker.com) submitted her current blog to me for insertion into the site. Upon reading it I asked her permission to reprint in here. I think it is pertinent, sensitive and somewhat awakening. 

RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY         by Monica Parker
 
The planet is resting but we are restless. We are out of sorts. Our plans have been disrupted and we are scared what the future may bring or worse…not bring. A future interrupted and completely stalled. No money. No direction other than confined to home. Straightjacketed as we try to tame our claustrophobia. When we break free it’s as if we are in an endless corn maze as we walk 6’ feet apart desperately seeking a way out. Some pray to Jesus to save them, some to Allah. We all pray that this invisible equal opportunity destroyer of our hopes, dreams, livelihoods and lives can be brought to heel. 
​
This is when resilience is truly required. I know this. In order to live a quality life, it’s a very necessary component. But what exactly is resilience. To my mind, in it’s simplest form it’s similar to the coating one finds on non-stick frying pans. Bad things can be made to slide off. But like bobsledding or axe throwing, it’s a skill that requires practice. 

Into every life there are troubles big and small. Right now, we are dealing with the biggest trouble of all. This ravaging death stalker called the Coronavirus. Its tentacles are everywhere but we can’t see it except in the body count, which is climbing every hour and every day. Of course we are scared. We don’t know which way to point our sword. How can a little facemask and endless hand washing protect us? But they do! So does this uncomfortable ill-fitting idea of distancing ourselves from our friends who we lean on in times of trouble and now we can’t. But we are not on our own. We are sharing this daunting time with not just family and friends but our entire planet. 

How we handle these troubles is what makes us or breaks us. Remember that we are not defined by our circumstances. It is the way we respond that defines us. Resilience or flexibility is what we all need to make it through these moments when the unexpected awful comes our way. I really believe that faith is the unsung companion necessary to make resilience whole!  Don’t spend too much time alone in your head. It can be very weedy and dark in there. Find someone to talk to or laugh with even if it’s online…or pick some flowers make them into a bouquet. It’s always about making the best out of every situation. That’s our path forward.
AUTHOR, ACTOR, HUMOURIST AND INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER, WITH AN ABILITY TO FIND VALUABLE  LIFE-GIFTS AMONGST THESE RUINS

---

8 Free Apps to Help You Stay Connected During Coronavirus

From the neat-o folks at HowStuffWorks

Written by:  Wendy Bowman

I love it when my mom uses Facebook Messenger to call and video chat with me using her Facebook Portal device. I can hear her dog, Mocha, barking in the background, and sometimes my niece shows up to say hello, all while I show off my adorable new English bulldog, Rhyis, to the grandma she's never met.
We do this routine regularly from more than 3,000 miles away. She lives in Clarkesville in North Georgia and I'm in San Clemente in Southern California, and for us, it's the next best thing to being together. Although we didn't begin this practice because of the coronavirus outbreak, which has forced throngs of people worldwide to stay at home and practice social distancing to control its spread — this method of reaching out and touching each other virtually is more important today than ever.

The eight Apps that Wendy discusses are as follows:
•  FaceTime
• Google Duo/Hangouts
• Marco Polo
• Skype
• Facebook Messenger
• Netflix Party
• Watch2gether
• Zoom

​In her article she probes each one so be sure to go read it.

Also there's a relative newcomer on the scene - HouseParty. I haven't tried it yet but it looks like fun.

This is such a cool product. It looks like a painting applied to the building façade, yes?
Well it's not. What it is, is, digital glass printing.

Dip-Tech pioneered digital glass printing over a decade ago, and is today the leading supplier of digital glass printers and digital ceramic inks.

Dip-Tech’s technologically advanced printers and high-performance inks are complemented by expert consultation and international business development assistance. This winning combination of technology and business support enables new business opportunities for glass processors worldwide, and opens the door to unlimited possibilities in glass printing innovation and design.

WOW! Paris, right? No? Uh, okay - well, perhaps Chicago. Not? Sheesh......it's a really cool formShape.

These are photographs of a project by NextOffice in Iran. Surprised? I bet - remember last issue? That great concrete bunker house? Also Iran. Some interesting creative things going on there it seems.

Written by: Christele Harrouk
NextOffice has created a space where engineers can gather and communicate with each other. Located in Mashhad, Iran, the 14 200 square meter development was inspired directly from traditional Iranian constructions, with the implementation of a structural void that generates the rest of the
​morphology and defines access.
Mashhad Construction Engineering Organizations or Mashhad C.E.O, currently in progress, is a project that favors certain spaces. In fact, according to the designers, who have a long experience with similar clients, a “couple of spaces have more importance than others” like the public hall where applicants attend for their certifications or technical documents approval and the Amphitheatre which hosts many seminars, conferences, and events on the subject of construction engineering.
The ground floor holds a passage that goes across the building and links two streets. Moreover, this level comprises the spatial-structural void that guides pedestrian flow into the building. With a particular spatial organization, the structure formed by two large-scale units, is in a dual relationship, with its interior space and the urban fabric of the city.

Architects: NextOffice
Location: Mashhad, Iran
Area: 14200 m2
Project Year: 2018
Client: Khorasan Razavi Engineering Organization
Team: Alireza Taghaboni with Homa Asadi, Mohamad Motamedinia (+Project Manager), Majid Jahangiri, Sepideh Sarrafzadeh, Mohamadreza Gholami, Hoodad Zoroufchiyan, Roja Azizzadeh, Elnaz Kharghani, Ali Maleki, Asal Karami, Mohamadamin Zargar, Sarvenaz Rezaei

Interesting.....3 holes in the ground. And a fat flag pole just over there......qu'est-ce que?

The answer? First photo was the top, this is the underside of that top......

​SLOPED VILLA
Integrated into the rolling hillside of Mont-de-l'Enclus in Belgium, the Sloped Villa nearly goes undetected. Its slick design and ingenious use of materials blend the dwelling almost entirely into the landscape. Designed by Studio Okami, the home adopts a sloped form and green roof that tuck into the terrain and fade away from sight. On the exposed side, the exterior is made from columns of reclaimed brick, enveloped around glazed living areas. The floor-to-ceiling windows encase a three-bedroom interior featuring a palette of raw concrete and natural wood. Arranged around a central garden, its open concept and transparent facade afford every space sweeping views over the valley below.
Photos: Filip Dujardin / Studio Okami

I dunno - earth houses have always fascinated me. Almost bought a piece of land once, on a fairly steep riverside lot, where it only made sense to build horizontally into the hillside. Actually drew up all the plans, figured out the construction and all the design and then didn't go through with it. But I feel there's something comforting about such an embrace around a house - almost womb-like.......anybody agree with me? Would still love to do it. In fact, consider this - only on outward facing side and part of the two adjacent sides, do you have to be concerned abut high quality exterior finish materials....everything else can be concrete block 'cause it's in the earth. Hmmmmmm - maybe, maybe

S • L • I • C • K

or    S L E E K.....better yet, slick + sleek.  

I C E  K I T E 

“ICE Kite" is a 64m. superyacht with a sleek silhouette that has been designed by Red Yacht Design with naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects for a German entrepreneur.

Design Story
At the design stage of the ICE project, Red Yacht Design, Dykstra Naval Architects, and the owner have worked hard to ensure maximum comfort under 500GT. One of the main design features of the yacht is the use of glass that is higher than that of boats at this length. The main goal is to integrate enclosed spaces with more light and exteriors while ensuring a striking outlook. Full glass living areas and spacious exteriors offer the owner the ultimate sense of openness on board. The main inspiration for the exterior design comes from mother nature. The owner wanted Red Yacht Design to create a yacht that feels like she already belongs to the sea, inspired by sea animals.

ICE Kite has 475 sqm open spaces. The significant beach area at the aft part of the main deck has a pool and a huge lounge area with different sunbed levels. The dining area for 12 and the bar area maximize the outdoor pleasure among family and friends. There is a touch & go helipad at the bow to overcome the problem of last mile. At the flybridge deck, a sundeck area offers more privacy out of seeing or a party lounge with a full-size bar and a BBQ area. There, the generous aft Jacuzzi area is surrounded by large sunbeds for fun time while sunbathing.

ICE Kite is a constantly circumnavigating yacht with real green technologies excluding diesel electric use, because of its physical system losses. Instead the team of designer, owner and naval architect combine kite sailing with a low resistance hull, and optimum consumption of diesel engines. The owner intends to have the yacht managed under a fractional ownership program, again with the philosophy to use resources reasonable and effectively.

For the full story, visit here: ICE KITE

AND?

And, WHAT?

Ampers    and

Ampersand......this is my personal ampersand, black metal about 18" x  24" - hangs on a wall of my office.
To me, although it is a typographic symbol it is one of the most fluid, most graceful of forms.
What is the ampersand?

While today it is considered a punctuation mark, the ampersand used to be the 27th letter in the Roman alphabet, following Z. People would say 'X, Y, Z and per se and' as the figure itself means 'and'. 'And per se and' was shortened into a word in the 18th century and today we have 'ampersand'. Its form derives from the Latin word for and, 'et'. In some ampersands – commonly the italic form – this combination is more clearly seen than in others, and the character has evolved its highly unique form. 

​Take a look at these:

This article was researched and written by Garrick kWebster, February 26, 2020.
Following is a part of his submission:
The best ampersands tell you a lot about a typeface. Thanks to its unusual structure, the curly symbol that's a substitute for 'and' is the character that can make or break a typeface for the type-conscious designer. It's a character that asks the typographer to make certain creative decisions above and beyond the A to Z letter set, the numerals and standard punctuation, and the care that goes into an ampersand is often indicative of the attention to detail that has gone into the typeface across the board.

As a designer, the ampersand can be your plaything. It's the maverick character in the set, the one that really tested the typographer in its creation, and the one that can bring the right atmosphere to a
​project when used at a large scale. 

If you'd like to assess the ampersands in a range of fonts, have a rummage through
our rundown of the best free fonts around.
 

Daddy! Daddy! If you buy us a 3D printer we can print us a new house! Look!!!!

T'ain't far from the truth, nope.
Take a look at this:  

400 sq ft printed houses
These 400-square-foot tiny houses in a village for the homeless were made by a 3D printer — see inside the structures and how they were built

An Austin company Icon is using a 3D printer and low-cost materials to construct houses for the homeless.
Icon will build six tiny homes in Austin's Community First Village.
The company's 3D printer can print three houses simultaneously, and complete the walls in just over 24 hours. Small Austin, Texas-based startup Icon is betting that 3D printing is the key to solving the US' homelessness crisis and lack of affordable housing.

Last year, nonprofit Community First put $18 million into a tiny home village in Austin to help the chronically homeless get off the street. The village had space for 180 residents, who live in 200-square-foot homes, pay about $300 in rent, and have job opportunities on site. Now, Icon is bringing its 3D printing technology into the village to hopefully speed up the process, while also making it cheaper. The first residents are set to move in this spring.

Icon is using the same technology it showed off in Mexico last year, where it
built two 500-square-foot homes and charged residents just $20 in rent.
Houses are printed three at a time using the Vulcan II printer to make the process faster and cheaper.
The Vulcan II prints out layers of Lavacrete, Icon's custom proprietary concrete that is
reportedly cheaper than typical building materials, and more resilient.
Icon cofounder Evan Loomis told Business Insider that a house can be printed in about 27 hours.
The printer, which is remotely controlled by a tablet, is electrically powered
​ and needs a crew of four to six people to build a house.
For now, the printer produces the walls of the home, while the rest of the construction is more traditional, with professionals laying a foundation and adding in features like a roof and windows.

You can check out more up-to-date info about ICON and their revolutionary programme here.

Wrtitten by: Mary Meisenzahl • Tech Editorial Fellow

She is an editorial fellow on the technology team for Business Insider. Previously, she has written for Boston Magazine, Curbed Boston, and The Outline. She is a 2019 graduate of Wellesley College interested in the intersection of technology and culture.

It doesn't need to be repeated. These are tough times.....probably the toughest times any of us - our parents, our generation, our children, our grandchildren - will ever have to live through. Every day there is yet another sadder story - of loss of hardship. We have, collectively, only one straw to grasp onto - that is, we are human! We care, we love - we are concerned - we help each other, and we will continue to do so.
That is the faith that I see at the forefront of the tears and the pain - and it is the strength that will get us through this dark dark tunnel.

Be strong, be safe, be smart  be healthy.

​Michael